Visitors flock to Bald Eagle Festival

GRAFTON — The 6th Annual Bald Eagle Festival returned to the Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center Sunday, bringing flocks of visitors hoping to catch sight of the once-endangered birds.

The Lodge and Conference Center was filled with various vendors and area residents, some of which were staying at the lodge. The Festival featured three different bird shows, titled “Masters of the Sky,” put on by the World Bird Sanctuary from Valley Park, Mo. Visitors also had the opportunity to get lunch and shop from one of the 22 vendors inside of the building.

The “Masters of the Sky” show was $4 for admission, and those in attendance were treated to between seven and nine various birds, including eagles, falcons and owls. The show — located in the Marquette Room inside of the lodge — was sold out for the 1 p.m. show. The room holds roughly 250 people and inside of the room children were excited to see various birds up close.

According to Leslie Franklin, Pere Marquette director of marketing and events, the festival began in 2010 and has seen an increased turnout since its inception. This year, Franklin said she expected between 800 and 900 people in attendance.

“It’s steadily grown every year,” Franklin said. “It’s become more and more popular.”

Those in attendance looking for a getaway were encouraged to take advantage of the lodging Pere Marquette offers. Many took the lodge up on the offer, Franklin said.

“We sold out of lodging for both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is not uncommon, but a Sunday night sell-out is because of the festival,” Franklin said.

Live music could be heard throughout the lodge as visitors shopped from the local vendors. Music was provided by local band Misty Ridge, a regular at Pere Marquette according to Franklin.

The festival sold out of vendor space due to the event being held inside, Franklin said. The lodge can hold significantly more people during the spring and summer months when vendors can be set up outside.

“I did have to turn quite a few away this year,” Franklin said.

Most of the 22 vendors were local vendors, including Olive Oil Marketplace in Alton. Tim and Julie Meeks were on hand to promote their various types of olive oils to those in attendance. The couple has been part of the Bald Eagle Festival for three years, and Tim Meeks was impressed with the turnout.

The Pere Marquette Lodge regularly host various events throughout the year according to Franklin. The Lodge will host an Elvis impersonator as well as a Murder Mystery night in the coming weeks. More information about the events can be found at www.pmlodge.net.